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(No Model.)

S. E. & J. M. SPROUT.

TRAY FOR DRYING FRUIT.

WITNESSES: INVENTORS:

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llnirrnn STATES PATENT Orricn.

SAMUEL E. SPROUT AND JAMES M. SPROUT, OF MUNOY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO SAID SAMUEL E. SPROUT.

TRAY FOR DRYING FRUlT.

$PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 318,436, dated May 19, 1885.

Application filed August 12, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, SAMUEL E. SPROU'I and J AMES M. SPROUT, citizens of the United States, residing at Muncy, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trays for Drying Fruit, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved tray for drying fruits, vegetables, and other articles.

The invention will first be described and then claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a view of the bottom frame of the tray. Fig. 2 showsa modification in the construction of the bottom frame. Fig. 3 is a View of the upright flange or top frame. Fig. i is a top view of the tray. Fig. 5 is an end View of same. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show modifications in the fastening device.

The letter A designates a flat bar of iron which forms the bottom frame of the tray. This bottom frame may consist of a single piece bent edgewiseto produce the angles or corners b, as shown in Fig. 1; or it may consist of several pieces whose ends 0 are lapped where the corners are formed and secured, as shown in Fig. 2. Holes d are made in this bottom frame.

The sides or upright flange E forms the top frame of the tray, and is composed of a flat bar of iron bent sidewise to produce the angles or corners 6, corresponding with the bottom frame. The ends of the bar which form the upright flange lap at one of the short sides, as shown at 6.

It will thus be seen the tray has two rectangular frames, one of which (the upright flange E) sets edgewise upon the flat surface of the other, (the bottom A.) The two thus form in cross-section an L- shaped angle. These two frames are secured together by hook-bolts f, or equivalent fastening devices, as hereinafter described.

The bottom G of the tray is preferably composed of woven wire similar to a wire screen. It may, however, be composedof interlaced metal strips or of perforated sheet metal, the construction of either of which will, in connection with this description, be readily understood by any one skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

The tray-bottom G, whether of woven wire or other equivalent material, is first cut to the proper size and placed upon the bottom frame, A, and the upright flange E is then placed upon the said bottom. Thus the traybottom is between the flat surface of the one frame and the edge of the other frame. The hook parts of the bolts f take over the edge of the upright flange E, and the ends of the bolts pass through the tray-bottom and then through the holes (1 in the lower frame, A, while a nut, f, on the end holds the hook to its position, as seen plainly in Fig. 6. By this or equivalent fastening the two frames and bottom are firmly secured together.

It is not essential that the hook f be held by a nut, as it may be riveted instead; and instead of a hook a bolt may be used, as in Fig. 7, for attachment to the lower frame, while the upper part of the bolt is bent endwise and enters a hole in the upright flange E, where it may be riveted. Still another modification of the fastener is shown in Fig. 8, where a staple holds the upright flange, and the ends of the staple are made fast in the lower frame.

A tray thus constructed is unaffected by the heat of the oven and is very durable.

Should the tray-bottom at any time need renewal, it may be removed and the same frames employed with a new bottom.

Having described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. A tray for drying fruit, consisting of atop frame, E, which forms the upright flange, a woven-wire bottom, G, below the said upright flange, a bottom frame composed of a bar or bars, A, and hook-bolts f, or equivalent fastening devices to secure the upright flange, wire bottom, and bottom frame to gether, as set forth.

2. A tray for drying fruit, consisting of a woven wire bottom, G, a frame composed of a flat metal bar or bars, A, with their broad surface in contact with the lower side of the ICO bottom, a metal frame, E, made of thin flat In testimony whereof We affix our signatures metal with its thin or narrow edge in contact in presence of two witnesses.

with the upper side of the said bottom, where- SAMUEL E. SPROUT. by the two frames form in cross-section an JAMES M. SPROUT. Lshaped angle, and hook-bolts f, or equiva- I WVitnesses:

lent fastening devices securing the bottom DANIEL B. DYKINs,

and top frames together, as set forth.

THOMAS OLAPP. 

